Friday, July 21, 2017

Large retailers are industrializing third world countries. If you haven't already read the headline from a few years back where 112 factory workers were killed in a Bangledesh factory fire shortly after Walmart refused to contract safety upgrades. Here is a link.

What is the big deal??

The big deal is that until as recently as 2010, countries like South Africa, Mexico and India were still considered third world countries and eligible for assistance from the United Nations, now these countries are among several categoriezed as "newly industrialized." Most large companies argue that they pay a higher wage then factory workers could make at any other profession in their own country. However, the wide spread problem is that these large companies are industrializing third world nations often times before the nations infustructure is prepared to be industrialized. That means, proper roads, safety laws and regulations and modern buildings that prevent disasters like what happened in Bangladesh.

We cannot continue to allow large companies to be the leader in Globalization.

We must change the way we shop. It is not about requiring better made goods, but patronizing small, ethical companies. It doesn't have to be everyday, and every item, but we have to start somewhere.

It is estimated that for every $100 dollars you spend shopping local, $68 of that will stay in the community versus shopping at chain retailers where virtually all the proceeds are dispersed internationally.

Here in Cheyenne, wares are sometimes hard to find, and local goods and services are not always up to my standards, but we are learning to love our town, and make due with what we can find. We know we always have the option to drive an hour or two or order online, but in the two years that we have lived here, we have only found the need to do that twice because we just don't make it a habit. And that is what I am suggesting to you, change your habits. We don't have to be rigid and never buy anywhere but home or a big box store, however if we get in the habit of looking local first, we can influence our world for change.

Little Changes for Shopping Small and Local

Visit your town's Chamber or Commerce for a local business listing and find a few you love.

Familiarize yourself with your local farmer's market times and pay a visit. Many of these businesses will have websites where you can order at your convenience.

Follow a pattern of looking in town, in state, and then online if you must.

Finally, become mindful of your purchasing habits.

I am not suggesting that we can never patronize large companies, just that we must become aware of how much we spend and what we are buying. Large companies like Wal-mart and Target have made good improvements to their supply chain over the past few years, partly due to customer demand. These large chains as well as many large grocery chains have started carrying locally made products and produce, and simply by purchasing those products we send a message.

If you are in Cheyenne, Wyoming this summer, here is a list of my local favorites (much of our disposable income is spent here! lol):

How I became Considering frugal

Fueled by the growing list of pollution related allergies my family suffered from each day, and inspired by my 97 year old grandmother who could recycle ANYTHING before recycling was cool, back in 2011, I decided (in the spirit of the Julie/Julia Project...) to embark on a journey to see just how much one family could do to change our planet. I didn't consult any other parties before I launched this idea. Thankfully my husband, daughter and son are usually my biggest supporters. Here is the catch; as I'm normally very thrifty (you can note from early blog posts), I was looking for ways that I could reduce our carbon footprint and make socially responsible purchases without increasing our spending. Mmmmmm. We succeed in changing some of our habits a bit and finding ways to reduce our footprint. There were lots of fun epic fails alone the way too! But the biggest change we have made over the course of the last six years, was to move from the mega city of Phoenix to Wyoming. You can read my full bio on my About Me page.

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While it is true that I am working on a PHD in Psychology and very smart and frugal, I am not a medical doctor, criminal, personal or accident lawyer. I do not sell insurance nor am I an accountant or mortgage advisor. While some of my posts may offer good ideas on home, health and business solutions, I am not personally responsible nor is Considering frugal for any advice, ideas, recipes or menu plans that you decide to use. This blog is intended to be helpful and fun. Any products you purchase from my Amazon store or any other retailer advertised on my blog must be returned to them. I may sometimes endorse a product that I love. This is simply my opinion, you must try all products at your own risk. While I personally do not use tracking cookies or share information, my affiliates are third parties and they may do so. Please click, travel and purchase at your own risk.